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CeraVe vs Avène

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

CeraVe and Avène are respected skincare brands, with the former founded in America in 2005 and the latter established in France in 1990. Both offer versatile moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and reliable sunscreens, though the American brand is especially known for formulations enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The American brand suits mature skin and dry skin best, while the French brand suits acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin best. They differ primarily in their targeted concerns and primary active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com

This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs Avène products

People Say

CeraVeAvène
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Redness and Sensitivity Soothing Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Calmed my angry red skin overnight — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Nothing has ever worked to soothe or heal my skin like these before. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
    • “Calms angry, red skin — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
    • “no stinging or redness — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
  • Acne Control and Clearing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Bottle lasts for months — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Texture and Residue Complications Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “leaves a white layer — Avène Hydrance+”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
  • Packaging and Sizing Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Tube cracked on the side — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Cap leaks in bag — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
    • “Good product bad packaging. — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Avène routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Avène: which is better?

CeraVe and Avène both offer great routines across most skin types, but CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for mature skin whereas Avène reaches High. CeraVe also lists no fragrance across the products on this page, while Avène includes fragrance in nearly half of its items.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Avène?

CeraVe and Avène both offer high routine fit levels across most skin types, but CeraVe rates as Superior for mature skin while Avène rates as High. Reviewers note that CeraVe is fragrance-free across the products on this page, whereas some Avène products contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer a High Lovi fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. CeraVe features a ceramide-dominant barrier repair that helps alleviate dry skin conditions.

CeraVe or Avène: which cleanser is better?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer effective cleansers, but CeraVe has more options rated Superior for oily and acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Avène cleansers may help soothe irritation, but CeraVe is generally noted as better for acne control and value.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Avène?

CeraVe is more affordable than Avène according to the review themes on this page.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, CeraVe or Avène?

CeraVe has fragrance-free products on the page, as every single CeraVe product lists no fragrance in its ingredients. Avène also has fragrance-free products, though some of its items do include fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer a High routine fit for oily skin, with CeraVe providing fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

For dry sensitive skin, CeraVe offers superior moisturizers like the Skin Renewing Night Cream, while Avène provides options such as the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm. CeraVe formulas help deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, whereas Avène products on this page soothe irritation with thermal water.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Avène for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. CeraVe formulas on this page contain no fragrance, while Avène includes fragrance in several of its products.

CeraVe or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe provides a High fit on the products on this page for sunscreens, whereas Avène ranges from Low to High depending on the product. CeraVe sunscreens are fragrance-free, while several Avène sunscreens may contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer products on this page that are a High fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that CeraVe helps with effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Avène helps soothe irritation.

CeraVe or Avène for mature skin?

CeraVe fits mature skin better than Avène, with a superior routine fit level compared to Avène's high fit level. CeraVe features key ingredients like retinol, which helps reduce signs of aging by stimulating collagen accumulation in aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

CeraVe or Avène for dry sensitive skin?

CeraVe fits dry sensitive skin better than Avène, as Lovi rates CeraVe High for this skin type while Avène is Average. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas with barrier-repairing ceramides that help soothe sensitive skin without irritation.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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